9/19/23:During its September 13 meeting, the Friends of West University Parks Fund Board (Friends) approved up to $75,000 in funding for landscape architect services for the Wier Park Improvement Project. During the City Council Meeting on September 25, the Parks and Recreation Department will present the funding approval and contract with Burditt Landscape Architects which includes construction documents, bid services, and project oversight.
Since 1986, Friends has raised over $8.7 million (plus another $8.2 million in donations and in-kind services) for renovations and expansion of West U parks. Funds raised through events such as Park Lovers’ Ball and Fathers & Flashlights were applied to renovations at Judson Park, Huffington Park, and Colonial Park East redevelopment including the Youth Fitness Challenge Course, and Colonial Park Pool improvements.
To view the conceptual design and for more information about this project visit, www.westutx.gov/parkprojects, or contact Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director at 713-662-5894.
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7/18/23: The Parks and Recreation Board met on Wednesday, June 14 and recommended the concept be brought before City Council for approval. On Monday, July 10, City Council approved the concept design.
The Parks and Recreation Board and staff have been working in conjunction with Burditt Landscape Architects and a citizen user group on improvement recommendations. Parks and Recreation Board Chair Will Bertron and Parks and Recreation Director Susan White met with the Friends of West U Parks Fund members on July 12 to review the concept in preparation for an official funding request at their September 2023 meeting.
What to expect:
- Construction is estimated to cost between $865,000 - $1 million.
- A tentative project start date could be in January.
- Construction would take three months minimum from start to finish.
Staff has recommended construction be completed continuously in lieu of phasing to limit interruptions to park users.
The Friends of West University Parks Fund, (Friends) is a volunteer based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds for development and improvement of parks and green spaces in the City of West University Place. Visit www.westuparks.org for more information on Friends and all of the wonderful initiatives they have for West U’s parks.
For more information about this project visit, www.westutx.gov/parkprojects, or contact Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director at 713-662-5894.
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6/15/23:The Parks and Recreation Board and staff have been working in conjunction with Burditt Landscape Architects and a citizen user group on improvement recommendations. Overall, no major changes are recommended for the park layout and programming. With the extension of the artificial turf in the play areas and the new artificial turf in the fitness area, the park will gain approximately 6,500 square feet of usable space. The Parks and Recreation Board met on June 14, 2023, and recommended the concept shown below for City Council’s approval. The concept will be presented to Council for consideration on Monday, July 10 at 6:30pm.
The main items under consideration include repainting the current play structures, replacing the artificial safety turf, refreshing the picnic tables and benches, adding connective pathways and shade structures, installing a new gate entry off Nottingham, improving drainage, and removing the parking space on Nottingham to increase open green space, which is an initiative identified in the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. Chin up bars and corn hole has also been proposed for the underutilized space west of the basketball court, and improvements to level out the court areas. Lastly, solar and lighting enhancements will be considered.
The addition of a restroom was considered by the Parks and Recreation Board and staff, but was not recommended for Wier Park, which is intended for users within close walking distance of the park and is consistent with National Parks and Recreation Association’s recommendations for the programming and size of the park.
For more information about this project visit, www.westutx.gov/parkprojects, or contact Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director at 713.662.5894. If you would like to receive project updates via email, please email Administrative Coordinator Charlotte Herling at cherling@westutx.gov.
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5/22/23: The Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to inform you that planning is underway for updates to Wier Park. The Parks and Recreation Board and staff have been working in conjunction with Burditt Landscape Architects and a citizen user group on improvement recommendations. No major changes are recommended for the overall park layout and programming.
The main items under consideration include repainting the current play structures, replacing the artificial safety turf, refreshing the picnic tables and benches, adding connective pathways and shade structures, installing a new gate entry off Nottingham, improving drainage, and removing the parking space on Nottingham to increase open green space, which is an initiative identified in the Parks and Open Space Master Plan. Chin up bars and corn hole has also been proposed for the underutilized space west of the basketball court, and improvements to level out the court areas. Lastly, solar and lighting enhancements will be considered.
For more information about this project visit, www.westutx.gov/parkprojects, or contact Susan White, Parks and Recreation Director at 713.662.5894. If you would like to receive project updates via email, please email Administrative Coordinator Charlotte Herling at cherling@westutx.gov.